The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. are pleased to announce the fourth annual Climate Superstars Challenge, an online eco-challenge exclusively for middle school classrooms (grades 6-8) that teaches students about the environment and how they can take an active role in caring for its future.

Classes complete learning activities around energy efficiency, the environment, and sustainability for a chance to win one of six $5,000 e-vouchers to use on new technology for their classroom, courtesy of Samsung.

“After being chosen as a winner this past year, my students voted on what they wanted to buy for the classroom,” said Samantha Barry, Climate Superstar winner from Canarelli Middle School in Las Vegas, Nevada. “We are a hands-on art class, so they chose to get ten Samsung tablets with S pens.”

Classrooms will have the entire month of October to complete short collaborative educational activities that can be performed online or in person. Those that complete at least seven of 10 activities during the month of October will be entered into the prize drawing.

“The evolution of the program year-over-year has driven more engagement,” said Mark Newton, head of corporate sustainability for Samsung Electronics America. “And every year, I am inspired by the teachers and students who take part in Climate Superstars so they can learn more about how to leave a positive, lasting impact on our environment.”

The Climate Superstars Challenge will take place October 1-31. Registration is now open!

What's New This Year?

• Expanded Eligibility: Previously only available to public middle school classes, the Climate Superstars Challenge is now open to both public and private schools, as well as qualified after-school education programs. “Climate Superstars has been a big hit with educators,” said Meri-Margaret Deoudes, president and CEO of NEEF. “This year, we're building on that success by opening up the contest to more classrooms and after-school groups, providing them with fun activities to learn about sustainability and energy efficiency.”
   
• Detailed Alignment with NGSS: Each task will have a detailed explanation of how it aligns with K-12 Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
   
• Tasks Available at Registration: All 10 tasks will be available to view before the challenge officially begins, giving educators even more time to build them into their lesson plans for the fall.
   
• Updated Educator Guide: This year's Climate Superstars Challenge offers new resources to help educators incorporate challenge tasks into their lesson plans. The Climate Superstars Educator Guide contains supplemental material to give each task context, offer lesson suggestions, and provide additional information on subject matter.

“Samsung has been a leading partner in the ENERGY STAR program for multiple years, among other EPA programs,” said Jill Vohr, marketing lead, ENERGY STAR Labeling Branch. “We are grateful to have their support to educate and empower tomorrow's leaders about the importance of energy efficiency and green power in addressing climate change.”

For more information about the Climate Superstars Challenge, including official rules, how to register, and to obtain your copy of the Climate Superstars Educator Guide, please visit www.neefusa.org/climate-superstars.